Apparatus for perforating pipe or the like



Jan. 8,1929. 1,697,960

.|. J. MCCULLQUGH ET AL APPARATUS FOR PERFORATING PIPE OR THE LIKE Filed March 15, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l:

M I ff (M/041 b Jan. 8, 1929. 1,697,960

I. J. MOCULLOUGH ET AL APPARATUS FOR PERFORATING PIPE OR THE LIKE Filed March 15, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q w' W/ ...//A

ma ff Jam/er B/ack Patented Jan. 8, 1329.

pairs.

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areas Inn 3. MccULLoUerr AnnMILLAnn solemn BLACK, on HUNTINGTO PARK;

CALIFORNIA.

APPARATUS FOR PERFORATING PIPE OR THE LIKE. I

Application filed March 15, 1924. Serial No. 699,460.

This invention has to .do with apparatus for perforating plpe, or the like, and 1t is an 7 object of the invention to provide a simple,

perforations 1n a pipe, or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simple, compact and inexpensive machine of the character specified. v

Another object of this invention is to provide a perforating machine which is portable, and which is extremely simple and convenient to handle and operate.

The various objects and features of our invention will be best and/more fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and carryingout of the invention, throughout which descrip' tion reference ishad to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a plan view of a machine embodying our invention; 7 r

Fig. 2 's a front elevation of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a side'clevation of the machine;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal detailed sectional *iew of the machine, taken substantially as indicated by line 4 on Fig. 1;

:5 is a detailed sectional view, taken as indicated by the line 55 on Fig. 3; and,

Fig. 6 is a detailed sectional view, taken as indicated by the line 6-6 on Fig. i).

T he present invention, as before stated, has reference to apparatus for perforating pipe,

' I or the like, to produce perforated pipe such as is employed in wells. Perforated pipe is employed in wells, particularly oil wells, for

the purpose ofadmitting fluid into the well without admitting sand, orthe'lilre'. In our above identified copending application we set'forth and claim an improved; formof perforation which is particularly effective, simple and practical. This improved perforation. has inwardly divergent side walls and inwardly convergent end walls, it being preferred thatthe side walls be flat and the end walls somewhat concave. The apparatus herein setforth is particularly suited forthe formation of" our, improved "perforations. There are various features of our present invention, however, whichare not necessarily 1 related to or associated in any way with, our improved form of perforation, and which we wish understood as being applicable to the formation of various types or forms of perforations. V

The apparatus provided by our invention embodies a disk cutter, the diameter of which is somewhat longer than the perforation to be formed, and the periphery of'which is provided with suitable cutting parts or teeth. The cutter is rotated and is moved into ongagement with the pipe to cut a straight elongate slot in it. The slot thus formed is,

of course, very slightly greater in width than the cutter, has fiat smooth sides, and somewhat concave inwardly convergent ends. lVith the first cut thus made the cutter is withdrawn from the pipe and the plane of the cutter varied or changed with relation to the pipe about an axis at or close to the outer surface of the pipe at the first made opening, preferably by moving or tilting the. cutter with relation to the pipe. The cutter is then again movedinto engagement with the pipe so that it enters the first made out and operates to remove or cutaway one side of the first made out and thereby enlarge the innerportion of the cut or opening made inthe' pipe so that the openinghasinwardly divergent side walls, the entrance to the outer part'of'the opening remaining the same or substantially the same'in" width as made by the first cut. The cutter on'the second'cu-t is pr'eferablyfed into the pipe an amount equivalent to the amount that it was fed into the pipe upon the first out. To remove any burrs or rough edgesthat there may be in" the opening or perforation the cutter, while in the pipe at the end of; the second'cut, may

be swung back to its original angular-position'with relation to the pipe, and,"if.necessary, between its two angular positions, whereupon it can be removed from thepipe leaving the slot or perforation completelyv finished. By our present method an inwardly divergent slot is TOIZHSd WltlLt'hG use of a simple disk cutter byutwo' simple operations of the cutter and entirely from the. exterior of the pipe. The first cut having been made the inward divergence is given to the opening or perforation by cutting away one wall of the first cut throughzthe first made openil'ig at the exterior ofthe pipe.

The machine provided by our present invention, for perforating pipe, and wlnch is particularly suited for forming perforations of the character above mentioned, and -for carrying out the method just described, in-

eludes,generally, a cutter 10, power means 11 for operating the cutter, and a support for the cutter. The support, in accordance with the preferred form of construction, includes a base 12jadapted to be mounted on the pipe P, and a carrier 1 supporting the cutter '10 so that the cutter can be tilted or adjusted about an axis longitudinal of the pipe and canbe moved or fed into and out-of engagement with thepipe; The base 12 may be in the tormof a plate having a straight bottom 14 adapted to engage or seat on the pipe P. The base is provided with means for bracing it on the pipe P, which means may, when the base is in the form of a fiat plate, include a plurality of set screws15lwhich project downwardly through the plate to engage the pipe, in the manner clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

or move on or with relation to the pipe during operation of the machine. In accordance with the broader aspects of our invention various means may bev provided for connecting or securing the base on the pipe. In the drawings we have disclosed a clamping device for this purpose. The clamping device includes jaws 16, pivotally connected with the base and adapted to clamp onto the pipe. The jaws maybe connected with opposite sides-0t the base 12 by suitable pivot pins 17, and may be shaped and-proportioned to accommodate and properlygrip the, pipes or casings on which the machine is to be used, Suitable meansmay be provided for operating or actuating thejaws. The actuating means illustrated in the drawings is ascrew neans, including-a screwlS oppositely screw threaded at itstwo ends. -The ends of the screw "are threaded through blocks 19 pivotally connectedxwith arms 20'which extend upwardly from the jaws 16'. A suitable hand wheel 21 is provided on thezscrew for operating it. Ro-

tation of the'screw in one direction moves or forces the ar1ns20" apart and thereby forces theqaws 16 together and into clamping'engagement with the pipe, while rotation of the screw in the opposite direction draws the arms together and thereby releases the aws 16. The particular mechanism just described is, of course, one particular form of mechanism that may be employed in carrying out our invention, and has been here-in set forth simply because it is simple, eitective'and convenient. 5

In the particular form of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the carrier '13 includes, generally, a body 22 which is connected with the base 12, and an arm 23 connected with the body 22. The body 22 is spaced somewhat above the base 12, and is in the form of an elongate frame. The body 22 is pivotally connected with the base 12 so that it is movable or canbe' tilted relative to the base about an axis longitudinal of the machine, or

the pipe to which the machine is applied, and

located at or close to the outer surface of the pipe. tion between the base and body may be obtained in various manners we have found it desirable to provide an "arcuate segment 25 at theupper side of the base, and an arcuate segment 26 1s connection wlth the body to cooperate with the segment 25. The segment 25 Although the desired pivotal connecrigidlyconnected by its ends to the base 1.2 i

so that it is concentric with the pivotal axis of the body, or, in other words, so thatits axis-or center is at or close to the plane of the pipe to which the machine is applied. The segment 26 is rigidly connected with the body by suitable legs 27, and is shaped and curved to fit or correspond to the front of the segment 25. A concentric rib 28 may be provided on the-face of one of the segments to slidably fit a concentric groove 29in the face of the other segment to guide the segments in proper cooperating V relation. The segment, 26 may be held in proper engagement wlth the segment 25 by a retaining plate 30 which engages over or back of the segment 25, and is connected to the w ment 26 by suitable bolts 31. In the particular form of machine shown in the drawings the pivotal connection just described is located at one end of the machine, which we will term the forward end, and the parts are arranged and proportioned so that the body extends freely through or between the Segment 25 and base 12. The body 22 extends to the other or rear end of the base where it may be suitably supported, for instance, by a projection 34 restin on a curved bea 'in surface 35 provided on the base, the bearing surface 35 being concentrlc with the" segment 25.

As a means for controlling the'movement of the body with relation to the base we have provided an operating lever 60 in connection with the segment 26, and haverprovided a locking pin61 in. connection with the lever to cooperate with notches 62 the s gment 25' to lock the segments against relativ. inove-. I ment. The notches maybe located in the segment 25 so that the segments may be iao locked in various predeterminedrelative positions. v

The arm 23 is pivotally connected to the rear end of the body, extends forward over the body, and projects beyond the forward end of the body to carry the cutter 10. The arm is pivotally connected with the body by a suitable pivot pin 36 so that it is movable about an axis transverse of the machine and the pipe to which the machine may be applied. The forward projecting portion of the arm is in the form of a yoke 3Twhich carries an arbor or shaft iO. The cutter is mounted on or carried by the arbor 40, and is in theform of one or more disks 41 provided at their peripheries with teeth or cutting parts so that they are in the form of milling cutters. The axis of the arbor is parallel with the pivotal axis of the arm and is, therefore, transverse of the arm and is at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the machine. The arm extends freely through or between the legs 27 and between the segment 26 and body 22 so that it is free tov be moved or swung the desired amount about its axis of pivotal connection with the body. The body has an upwardly extending part 4.5 which extends upwardly through the yoked part 37 of the armand operates to brace and guide the forward end of the arm. The part slidably-fits the yoke, and, therefore, braces the arm close to the cutter. The arm 23 is normally held up or in a raised position by means of a suitable spring 46 interposed betweenthe body and arm, and is adapted to be moved downwardly to feed the cutter into engagement with the pipe by means of an operating lever 47. The lever 47 is connected to the upper end of the projecting part 45 by a pivot pin 50, and is connected with the arm by a link 51. lever and link is clearly illustrated in Fig. 41' of the drawings. I

The power means 11 for operating the cutter may comprise an electric motor mounted on a suitable part, for instance, the arm 23, and a drive between the motor and arbor 40 which carries the cutter. The drive between. the motor and arbormay be in various forms; we have shown a belt 71 running over pulleys 72 and 73 mounted on the motor i. shaft 7 4 and arbor l0, respectively.

In operation the machine is applied to a pipe by placing the base 12 on the pipe and I securing it in positionby means of the unping aws 16.

The base is, of course, braced on the pipe by the set screws 15. and if so I desiredis supported by the set screw so that it does not actually touch the pipe. The clamping jaws are tightened onto the pipe through operation of the hand wheel 21. With the base in position the carrier, in the case of the particular machine above described the body 22, is adjusted to the desired tilted position with relation to the base,

The arrangement of the 7 p part oi the opening first cut to cut away'one side or wall of the .cut to make the opening for instance, to a position such as is shown 1n F 1g. 2 of the drawmgaso that the cutters are likewise tilted or arein position to engage the pipe somewhat diagonally. With the body adjusted and locked by the pin 61 and the cutter driven by the motor the operating lever 47 is moved downwardly causing the arm to swing or move downwardly and carry the cutter into engagementwiththe pipe. The operator continues to move the lever 47 down until the cutterhas cut the desired distance into ,ortln'ough the pipe, whereupon the lever is released or moved to the up position to remove the cutter fromthe pipe. The body is then moved tov another position with relation to thebase, preferably will, due to their different angular position i with relation to the pipe, cut away oneside of the opening or openings in the pipe so that the finished opening or openings have inwardly divergent side walls. If necessary the cutter can be rocked or swung betweenits two positions to clean the opening or openings. Vfhen the second cut is completed the lever 47 may be released, whereupon the base 12 may be released and moved to another po sition on the pipe Where the operation just described may be repeated. In Fig. 2 of the drawings we illustrate the machine in posi-' tion where it is has just completed the second out. This figure of the drawings clearly illustrates the manner in which the cutter or blades enter or operate through the outer sent without enlarging the cutter supporting part adjust-able about an axis close to the outer surface oft-he pipe and J! 1' 4- Y operable to reed the cutter. laterally intoengagenient with the-pipe; v 2. A'inoeperforat n machineincludnn l I .i a 1 I ma cutter, and a mountin tee cutteradapted to be arranged on a pr e and including a cutter supporting part having a'longitudinal pivotal axis substantially in linewith the cutr-r th the pipe, and means for settinr;- s:

to be arranged on a pipe embodyi a base I to be mounted stationary on the n an arn carrying the cutter at one end and operable fll' st'able with relation to the he.

' to move the cutter into engagement with the 4 i nee? ter and close to the outer surface of the pipe and a transverse pwo'tal axis.

3. Av pipe perforating machine 1n eluding, a

cutter, and amounting for the cutter adapted to be arranged on a plpe and including a cutter supporting part having two independently operable pivotal axes one .substantially inline with the cutter and close to the outer surface of the pipe and the other transverse o'lthe first mentioned axis.

,4. A pipe perforating machine including a cutter, a mounting for the cutter adapted to be arranged on a pipe embodying a part adjustable about an axis substantially coincident with the outer surface of the pipe and operable to move the cutter laterally into engagement with the pipe, andpower means for actuating the cutter mounted on said part,

5. A pipe perforating machine including, a disk cutter, a mounting for the cutter adapted to be arranged on a pipe embodying cutter carrying part adjustable about an axis substantially in line with the cutter and close to the outer surface of the pipe and operable to move the cutter laterally into engagement with the pipe, and powerineans carried by said part to drive the cutter.

6. A pipe perforating machine including,

' a cutter; and a mounting for the cutter adapt ed to be arranged on a pipe emoodyinp, a base stationary with the pipe, and cutter carrying part carried by the base and adjustable about an axis substantially in line with the cutter and closeto'the outer surface of the pipe and operable to move the cutter into engagement with the pipe, and means whereby.

the said part is normally in position so that the cutter isout of engagement with the pipe.

7. A pipe perforating machine. including, a disk cutter, and a mounting for the cutter adapted to be arranged on'a pipe embodying a base adapted to be mounted stationary on the pipe and a cutter carrying part pivot-ally connected With the base about an axis substantially in line with the plane of thecutter and close to the outer surface otthe pipe and about an axis transverse of the plane of the cutter. V V V V r 8.- A pipe perforatingmachine including a cutter, and a mounting for the cutter adapted to be arranged on a pipe embodying a base adapted to be mounted stationary on the pipe, a cutter carrying; arm carried by the base adse about an axis substantially in line with the cutter and, operable to move the cutter into eng e'ement rid arm zurainst movement about said axis. v

9. A m as nertora machine IDCltltllD i a i L 1 h 1 cutter, and a mounting; for the cutter adapted sec close to the outer suriace of the pipe, anda cutter carrying arm. pivotally connected with the body about an axis transverse ot' the pipe.

11. A pipe perforating machine including', a cutter, a mounting; to: the cutter adapted to be arrangedon a pipe embodying, a base adapted to be applied tothe pipe,

a body, a pivotal connection between the body and base the axis of said connection being longitudinal of the pipe, an arm having one end. connected to one end of the body and the other end extending beyond the other end of thebody and carrying the cutter, and a part extending from the last mentioned end oi the body to guide the cutter carryingend of the arm, the pivotal connection between the body and base being located at the end of the body closest the cutter. v 12. A pipe perforating machine including, a cutter embodying a plurality of 'SPHCQQ' disks, a base adapted tobe applied to a pipe, means for adpisting the base with relation to the pipe, means for releasably securing the base on the pipe, body pivotally connected with the base about an'axis longitudinal of the pipe and lying close to the outer surface of the pipe, releasable means for setting the body again st movement with relation to the base, an arm pivotally connected with the body about an. axis transverse of the pipe and supporting the cutter with the planes of the disks substantially parallel to the longia tudinal axis of the pipe, means for operating the armto move the cutter into engagement with the pipe, means whereby the arm is normally in position with the cutter out of en gragement with the pipe, and power means for operating the cutter mounted on the arm.

13. A machine for perforating a pipe ineluding a cutter, and a mechanism connecting I the pipe and cutter operable to vary the angular relation between the pipe and cutter and to bring the pipe and cutter into engagelimit, the cutter including a plurality of spaced disk blades.

1 th machine for perforating a pipe moun carried by the base for feeding the cutter and said mounting being operable relative to the base to position the cutter in different a n grula ositions transversely of the pipe.

machine for perforating pipe includi cutter, a stationary, I base and a mechanism on the base for supporting the cutter and operable to varytheangular cutprising a cutter, a stationary base and a.

ting plane of the cutter and to bring the pipe and cutter into engagement.

16. A machine for perforating a pipe including a cutter, a stationary base and a mechanism on the base for supporting the cutter and operable to hold the cutter in different angular positions transversely of the longltucllnal arms of the pipe, and means for lnoving the cutter into engagement With the plpe. i I I.

In Witness that We claim the foregoing We have hereunto subscribed our names this 8th clay of March, 1924.

M. SUMTER BLACK. IRA J. MCGULLOUGH. 

